Locking vise with true and square jaws

ABSTRACT

A locking distortion-free vise for holding a workpiece true and square for grinding or machining. The vise has a base and stationary jaw unit, a movable jaw unit and a force-applying unit for moving the movable jaw relative to the stationary jaw. The vise is unique in that the force-applying unit is carried on a bar which also carries the movable jaw. Force is applied to the back face of the stationary jaw is transmitted to draw the movable jaw toward the true and square clamping face of the stationary jaw to hold a workpiece true and square and free from distortion. When the movable and stationary jaws together firmly clamp the workpiece locking means are actuated which lock the jaws and which prevent the jaws from going out of true.

United States Patent [72] Inventor Kenneth J. Wilson c/o Wilson Toll Company 2439 Franklin Ave., St. Paul, Minn. 55114 [2]] Appl. No. 867,127 [22] Filed Oct. 17, 1969 [4S] Patented June 15, i971 Continuation-impart of application Ser. No. 849,033, Aug. 11, 1969.

[S4] LOCKING VlSE WlTl-l TRUE AND SQUARE JAWS 9 Claims, 6 Drawing Figs.

[52] U.S. Cl 269/242, 269/l67, 269/189, 269/252 [51] Int. Cl 1325b l/02,

B2Sb H10 [50] Field of Search 269/166- -l72,l88195,2l3, 207-209, 251, 252, 242

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 406,815 7/1889 Chandler 269/190 827,612 7/1906 Broadbooks 269/166X Primary Examiner-Andrew R. Juhasz Assistant Examiner- Donald D. Evenson Attorney-Burd, Braddock & Bartz ABSTRACT: A locking distortion-free vise for holding a workpiece true and square for grinding or machining. The vise has a base and stationary jaw unit, a movable jaw unit and a force-applying unit for moving the movable jaw relative to the stationary jaw. The vise is unique in that the force-applying unit is carried on a bar which also carries the movable jaw. Force is applied to the back face of the stationary jaw is transmitted to draw the movable jaw toward the true and square clamping face of the stationary jaw to hold a workpiece true and square and free from distortion. When the movable and stationary jaws together firmly clamp the workpiece locking means are actuated which lock the jaws and which prevent the jaws from going out of true.

PATENTEU JUN] 5 IHYI SHEET 1 [IF 2 7 INVEN'I'OR.

KENNETH J. WILSON ATTORNEYS LOCKING VISE WITH TRUE AND SQUARE JAWS This application is a continuation-in-part of my copending application Ser. No. 849,033 filed Aug. 1 1, 1969, entitled VlSE WITH TRUE AND SQUARE JAWS.

This invention relates to locking vises for holding articles in rigid true and square position in order to obtain a high degree of accuracy ofgrinding and milling machine work as described and claimed in my copending application. ln such vises tightening force is applied to one side ofa true and square stationary jaw to draw a movable jaw to hold the workpiece against the true and square stationary jaw. No distortion is possible and the workpiece remains true and square to the same accuracy as the true and square stationary jaw, except in the isolated instance where the workpiece is small and is located between the jaws below their horizontal centerlines. In this instance, the workpiece may in some cases act as a fulcrum and cause the movable jaw to cant slightly moving it out of true parallelism with the stationary jaw. This is prevented by locking means actuated when the movable and stationary jaws have a tight clamping grip on the workpiece to urge the bottom of the shoulders of the movable jaw firmly against the upper surface of the base member of the stationary jaw to maintain the jaws in tight true and square clamping relation. The vise, according to the present invention, also is accurate within 0.0002 inch, and may be locked to maintain this accuracy.

The vise, according to the present invention, is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of the assembled vise with open jaws and no workpiece;

HO. 2 is a similar elevation but in longitudinal section and showing the jaws gripping a workpiece;

' FIG. 3 is a top plan view showing the vise assembled and holding a workpiece;

HO. 4 is a fragmentary vertical section on a somewhat larger scale on the line 4-4 of FIG. 2 and in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. Sis a fragmentary longitudinal section similar to FIG. 2 but on a somewhat enlarged scale to better show the details of construction and actuation ofthe locking means; and

FIG. 6 is a vertical section on the line 66 of FIG. and in the direction ofthe arrows.

Referring now to the drawings, the vise comprises generally a base and fixed jaw unit 10,21 movable jaw unit 11 and an adjusting and force-applying unit 12, which cooperate to form the vise as a whole. The base and stationary jaw unit lOconsists of an elongated horizontal base portion 13 of generally rectangular configuration having a flat bottom on which it may rest on the bedplate of a milling or grinding machine, or the like, and a parallel fiat top surface 15 on which the movable jaw rests. The fixed or stationary jaw portion 16 of the unit is integral with the base portion and extends vertically upward at one end thereof. The inner clamping face of stationary jaw 16 is milled to have an accurate square and true face against which a workpiece is held and whose accuracy as to trueness and squarenessdetermines the accuracy ofthe vise.

The base 13 is provided with a longitudinal channel 17 in its upper surface extending from adjacent the end opposite from the stationary jaw to the other end passing below the stationary jaw member 16 through the end wall of the unit. A hole. 19 extends through the bottom ofthe base member to slot 17.

The jaw unit consists of an elongated bar 20 of generally rectangular configuration adapted to fit with a close slide fit in slot 17 in the base and stationary jaw unit and having a length such that it extends substantially beyond the backface of the stationary jaw 16. At one end bar 20 supports an integral movable jaw 21 of generally rectangular configuration and lateral dimensions greater than those of bar 20 such that fiat shoulders 22 are provided which rest upon and slide against the flat upper surface of base member 13 which functions as a way for the movable jaw. The movable jaw and bar are adapted to be moved longitudinally, bar 20 moving in channel 17 and movable jaw moving along the upper surface of the base.

The force-applying unit 12 includes a block 26 of generally rectangular configuration having a stem 27 of lesser dimensions pivotally supported in a slot 28 adjacent one end of bar 20 by means of a transverse horizontal pin 29. Block 26 is provided with a partially threaded horizontal and longitudinally extending passage 30 adapted to receive a force-applying screw 31 having a knurled knob 32 or similar means for manually turning the screw to apply force. Screw 31 lies above and generally parallel to bar 20.

By rotation of screw 31 force is applied to the backface of stationary jaw 16. This has the effect of moving block 26 away from the backface of the stationary jaw and pulling bar 20 through the open end of slot 17 moving the clamping face of movable jaw 21 toward the clamping face of the stationary jaw and into engagement with the workpiece 33. The workpiece 33 is held true and square against the true and square clamping face of stationary jaw 16 by virtue of the force applied against the backface of stationary jaw 16 and transmitted to the clamping face of movable jaw 21.

Preferably, as illustrated, screw 31 is threaded in one direction at one end 34 and in the other direction at the other end 35 for multiplication of the movement resulting from rotation of the screw. The screw 31 with oppositely threaded ends 34 and 35 can most conveniently be made in two pieces joined in threaded coupling 36, as illustrated. The outer face of stationary jaw 16 is tapped at 37 to receive the oppositely threaded end 35 of the screw. The ratio of the oppositely directed threads may vary depending upon such factors as size and space limitations and desired action multiplication.

To facilitate assembly of the unit, channel 17 is of slightly larger dimensions at the end of base 10 underlying stationary jaw 16. Then, to impart stability to the bar 20 of the movable jaw unit 11, a plurality of guide members in the form of horizontal setscrews 38 and 29 extending in from opposite sides and vertical setscrew 40 extending from the bottom are provided. The inner ends of the setscrews 3840 extend into the enlarged area of channel 17 and are generally in alignment with the corresponding surfaces of channel 17 at the opposite end of the base 13.

As best seen in FIGS. 4 and 6, the upper portion of channel 17 receives bar 20 of movable jaw unit 11 with a close slide fit. The lower portion of channel 17 is enlarged laterally to provide overhanging shoulders having flat downwardly facing surfaces 41 parallel to the top flat face 15 of base 13 which serves as the way for the overhanging shoulders of the movable jaw 21. A transverse horizontal passage 42 is provided in bar 20 of the movable jaw unit 11 underlying movable jaw 21.. Passage 42 is of circular cross section and is adapted to receive a pin 43'of lesser diameter. Pin 43 is spring loaded by means of coil spring 44 to normally rest in the bottom of channel 42, as seen in FIG. 2. I

Pin 43 is oflength greater than the width of channel 17 in its narrower upper portion'but less than the width of the channel in its wider lower portion. As best seen in FIG. 6, the relationship of channel 42 to the bottom surface 41 of the overhanging shoulders ofchannel 17 is such that when pin 43 lies in the bottom of channel 42 under pressure from spring 44, the ends of the pin are out of engagement with faces 41. However, when pin 43 is forced upwardly by rolling in the radius of channel 42 against the pressure of spring 44, the ends of the pin come into engagement with the overhanging faces 41.

When the ends of pin 43 are forced into engagement'with the overhanging faces 41 of channel 17, the overhanging shoulders 22 of movable jaw 21 are brought into tight locking engagement with the upper surfaces 15 of base 13 of the fixed jaw unit. Movement of the locking pin 43 into locking engagement is actuated by longitudinal bar or rod 45 fit with a close slide fit in a central horizontal longitudinal channel extending from slot 28 to channel 42. A setscrew 46 is a tapped extension of the longitudinal channel housing actuating bar 45 functions as a stop to maintain block 26 in a normally vertical position, as seen in FIG. 2, when the force of spring 44 is exerted against pin 43 and in turn exerted against the actuating bar, forcing its opposite end into contact with stem 27 of block 26. The end of actuating bar 45 in engagement with stem 27 is preferably flat and the opposite end is preferably rounded, as illustrated.

The operation of the locking means is best seen by comparison of FIGS. 2 and 5. FIG. 2 shows the jaws 16 and 21 grasping a workpiece 33 in true and square gripping engagement. Upon further rotation of screw 31 by means of knurled knob 32, because the workpiece prevents further movement of the jaws, block 26 is pivoted on pin 29. As seen in FIG. 5, the lower end of stem 27 pushing on actuating bar 45 causes longitudinal movement of the actuating bar, exerting force against pin 43. This force causes pin 43 to rotate within the greater radius of channel 42 rolling upwardly against pressure of spring 44 and bringing the ends of the pin into locking engagement with the faces 41 of the overhanging shoulders of channel 17 and firmly locking the jaws into true and square position regardless of the size and location of the workpiece relative to the jaws.

The clamping action of the ends of pin 43 against the faces 41 pulls movable jaw 21 slightly downwardly which has the effect of forcing the shoulders 22 of movable jaw 21 into locking engagement with the flat square top surface of the base 13. This causes the clamping faces of the jaws to remain as parallel as possible without distortion so as to hold, the workpiece 33 squarely against the true and square clamping face of the stationary jaw 16.

it is apparent that many modifications and variations of this invention hereinbefore set forth may be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof For example, the vise may be varied widely in shape, size and overall design while retaining the essential component parts and the ability to maintain a workpiece true and square within the accuracy of the original workmanship of the stationary jaw.

The embodiments of the invention in which I claim an exclusive property or privilege are defined as follows:

1. A locking vise for holding a workpiece true and square comprising:

A. a base and stationary jaw unit,

B. a movable jaw unit,

C. a force-applying unit, and

D. locking means for locking said movable jaw unit relative to said stationary jaw unit,

E. said base being elongated with a flat top surface and a deep elongated channel in the top surface,

F. said stationary jaw being rigidly affixed to the base at one end overlying said channel and having an inner true and square clamping face perpendicular to the top surface of the base.

G. said movable jaw having an inner clamping face parallel to the clamping face of the stationary jaw, being movable along the top surface of the base and being rigidly affixed to an elongated bar slidably movable in said channel,

H. said bar extending under and beyond said stationary jaw away from the back face thereof,

1. said force-applying unit being attached to said movable jaw bar and having means for applying force against the stationary jaw to move said bar and movable jaw relative to the stationary jaw,

J. said locking means including means actuatable by said force-applying unit upon reaching tight clamping engagement of said jaws upon a workpiece to clamp said movable jaw into fixed engagement with said base.

2. A vise according to claim 1 further characterized in that said stationary jaw is integral with said base and said movable jaw is integral with said bar.

3. A vise according to claim 1 further characterized in that:

A. said movable jaw includes shoulders extending on opposite sides of said movable jaw bar and in sliding engagement with the top surface of the base on opposite sides of the channel therein, B. said channel includes overhanging longitudinal shoulders, the bottom faces of which underly the top surface of the base,

C. said locking means includes a horizontal pin extending through a transverse channel in said movable jaw bar underlying said movable jaw, the ends of said pin extending beyond the sides of the movable jaw bar and said pin being movable into locking engagement with the bottom faces of said overhanging channel shoulders.

4. A vise according to claim 3 further characterized in that said force-applying unit is pivotally attached to said movable jaw bar to actuate said locking means.

5. A vise according to claim 4 further characterized in that:

A. said force-applying unit comprises a block, one end of said block extending into a slot in said movable jaw bar at one end thereof,

' B. a longitudinal channel extends through-said bar from said slot to the transverse channel adjacent the opposite end of said movable jaw bar, and

C. an actuating bar extends through said longitudinal channel from said block to said pin.

6. A vise according to claim 5 further characterized in that:

A. said transverse channel is of circular cross section,

B. said pin in said channel is of circular cross section of lesser diameter, i

C. said pin being movable in the radius of said channel upon the application of force'thereon by said longitudinally extending actuating bar.

7. A vise according to claim 6 further characterized in that:

A. spring means are provided to normally urge said pin against the bottom of said channel,

B. said pin is movable upwardly against the pressure of said spring upon application of force by said actuating bar, and

C. the end of said actuating bar engaging said pin is rounded.

8. A vise according to claim 5 further characterized in that:

A. said unit for applying force against the stationary jaw comprises a clamping screw extending through a threaded passage in said block,

B. said screw lies above and generally parallei'to said'rhovable jaw bar,

C. one end of said screw engages the stationary jaw, and

D. means are provided for rotating said screw.

9. A vise according to claim 8 further characterized in that:

A. one end of said screw engages a threaded channel in said stationary jaw, and

B. the opposite ends of said screw are threaded in opposite directions.

P0-1050 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 5 CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,584,862 Dated June 15, 1971 Inventor) Kenneth J. ilson It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

On the title page, column 1, line 2, ilson Toll Comnanv" should be "Wilson Tool Company- In the Ahstract, line 7, "is" (first occurrence) should he omitted.

Column 1, line 66, The jaw unit should he The movahle jaw uni.t.

Column 2, line '74, "is" should he -in.

Column 3, line 52, should he Signed and sealed this 30th day of November 1971.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLETCHER,JR. ROBERT GOTTSCHALK Attesting Officer Acting Comissioner of Patents 

1. A locking vise for holding a workpiece true and square comprising: A. a base and stationary jaw unit, B. a movable jaw unit, C. a force-applying unit, and D. locking means for locking said movable jaw unit relative to said stationary jaw unit, E. said base being elongated with a flat top surface and a deep elongated channel in the top surface, F. said stationary jaw being rigidly affixed to the base at one end overlying said channel and having an inner true and square clamping face perpendicular to the top surface of the base. G. said movable jaw having an inner clamping face parallel to the clamping face of the stationary jaw, being movable along the top surface of the base and being rigidly affixed to an elongated bar slidably movable in said channel, H. said bar extending under and beyond said stationary jaw away from the back face thereof, I. said force-applying unit being attached to said movable jaw bar and having means for applying force against the stationary jaw to move said bar and movable jaw relative to the stationary jaw, J. said locking means including means actuatable by said forceapplying unit upon reaching tight clamping engagement of said jaws upon a workpiece to clamp said movable jaw into fixed engagement with said base.
 2. A vise according to claim 1 further characterized in that said stationary jaw is integral with said base and said movable jaw is integral with said bar.
 3. A vise according to claim 1 further characterized in that: A. said movable jaw includes shoulders extending on opposite sides of said movable jaw bar and in sliding engagement with the top surface of the base on opposite sides of the channel therein, B. said channel includes overhanging longitudinal shoulders, the bottom faces of which underly the top surface of the base, C. said locking means includes a horizontal pin extending through a transverse channel in said movable jaw bar underlying said movable jaw, the ends of said pin extending beyond the sides of the movable jaw bar and said pin being movable into locking engagement with the bottom faces of said overhanging channel shoulders.
 4. A vise according to claim 3 further characterized in that said force-applying unit is pivotally attached to said movable jaw bar to actuate said locking means.
 5. A vise according to claim 4 further characterized in that: A. said force-applying unit comprises a block, one end of said block extending into a slot in said movable jaw bar at one end thereof, B. a longitudinal channel extends through said bar from said slot to the transverse channel adjacent the opposite end of said movable jaw bar, and C. an actuating bar extends through said longitudinal channel from said block to said pin.
 6. A vise according to claim 5 further characterized in that: A. said transverse channel is of circular cross section, B. said pin in said channel is of circular cross section of lesser diameter, C. said pin being movable in the radius of said channel upon the application of force thereon by said longitudinally extending actuating bar.
 7. A vise according to claim 6 further characterized in that: A. spring means are provided to normally urge said pin against the bottom of said channel, B. said pin is movable upwardly against the pressure of said spring upon application of force by said actuating bar, and C. the end of said actuating bar engaging said pin is rounded.
 8. A vise according to claim 5 further characterized in that: A. said unit for applying force against the stationary jaw comprises a clamping screw extending through a threaded passage in said block, B. said screw lies above and generally parallel to said movable jaw bar, C. one end of said screw engages the stationary jaw, and D. means are provided for rotating said screw.
 9. A vise according to claim 8 further characterizEd in that: A. one end of said screw engages a threaded channel in said stationary jaw, and B. the opposite ends of said screw are threaded in opposite directions. 